Walks near Connel
During our stay in Connel over Christmas 2021 we did some lovely walks.
Loch Etive from Inverawe
An out-and-back route from the Forestry Commission carpark at Inverawe to the River Liver had beautiful scenery, a herd of deer, and the remains of a deserted township, Creag Buidhe.
Oban and Pulpit Hill
We made the mistake of going into Oban two days before Christmas. It was heaving. On Christmas Day itself, it was bright, cold and quiet. From the town, we did a circular walk climbing Pulpit Hill and the hillfort of Dun Uabairtich before returning along a minor road. We had fine views back to the town and over the Sound of Kerrera.
Sutherland’s Grove
This is a “lollipop” route which starts and finishes by walking through Sutherland’s Grove alongside the Abhainn Teithil (river) before looping out to Gleann Dubh Reservoir and returning through Balcardine Forest. The grove is named after Lord Sutherland who was President of the Society of Foresters and helped set up the Forestry Commission in 1919. During the walk, there were views to Loch Creran, Loch Linnhe, and beyond to the hills of Morvern. We also met a funny little troll under a bridge!
Glen Nant
Today Glen Nant is a nature reserve, but in the 18th and 19th centuries it was a busy industrial site with hundreds of people coppicing trees and burning them for charcoal for the nearby Bonawe Iron Furnace. In addition, the bark of the oak was used in the leather tanning industry. We found a very beautifully placed picnic table to eat our sandwiches.
Fearnoch Forest
In Fearnoch Forest we followed the Ant Hill Trail – Scottish wood ants make their impressive domed homes from pine needles, moss and heather. They eat a lot of other insects which are harmful to trees – for every square metre of forest there is estimated to be about 500 ants.
Ganavan Bay to Dunstaffnage
On our last day, we walked from Ganavan Bay, about three miles north of Oban, along the coast to Dunstaffnage Castle, returning slightly inland past the Marina and along the cycle path to avoid re-traversing the coastal trail mud.
This was a lovely way to spend the Christmas period in a year when we just wanted to get away from it all. We’ve had another three Scottish trips since then – we are getting back into our stride at last.
Linked to Jo’s Monday Walk.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
It is a very good part of the Highlands to walk in. Bagging the ring of small summits, including Pulpit Hill, that dot Oban’s outer suburbia is a classic for views and Glen Nant is pretty following the wooded streambed up to the dam. My parents liked going to Inveraray in summer but I found walking around there through thick plantation pine forest hard and tedious away from the town itself and that small folly hilltop was the one redeeming short excursion worth doing. Oban is the opposite with loads of fantastic back country to explore in every direction.
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Yes, I agree. Oban is a great base. We’ve never stayed in Inveraray, only visited.
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You have such lovely hikes in Scotland. I truly jealous…these were stunning and I wish I was there… Glad you have reconnected with travel. (Suzanne)
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We do – we also have a lot of rain and mud! So there are drawbacks. We were very lucky here.
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Even in December these views look wonderful. The red roof of that building at Oban really stands out and I love the first pic and the view of Oban from Pulpit Hill 🙂
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Yes, Oban was beautiful on Christmas Day. That was the best day for weather – very bright.
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Hello
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Thanks for visiting.
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What beautiful landscapes Anabel, a good idea to get away for Christmas and you chose a good spot. The weather looks to have behaved itself too. And OH has excelled himself with the photos – such clear and colourful shots. (And obviously some by you as well).
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Thanks Jude, it is a lovely area, and we were definitely lucky with the weather. And you’re right, unless he’s actually in them, all the shots are by John.
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The locales in this story are perfect in many ways. Beautiful, peaceful and invigorating.
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Thanks Neil, I’m glad you found them that way! That’s a good summing up – peaceful yet invigorating.
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Beautiful landscape and photos, Anabel. Oban looks like a charming place. I love your photo of Ganavan Bay to Dunstaffnage.
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Thanks Natalie. Oban is a lovely town, but I like it best when it’s quiet!
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Gorgeous photographs from Pulpit Hill. I’m very jealous of your deer herd. I was surprised not to see a single one when I walked the West Highland Way in the first week of April. Look forward to reaching Oban and following in some of your footsteps, while avoiding the troll! 🙂
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I’m surprised too – when we were in Glencoe the other week there were two constantly hanging about the Kingshouse. Obviously used to being fed, even though there were notices telling you not to do that. They’ll make an appearance next week.
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Lovely landscapes, Anabel!
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Thanks Sue – I thought so too!
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😊
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Oh I love all of this, but you shouldn’t call hubby a troll… oh no, sorry, I see it now!
I remember a weekend orienteering on those hillsides along Loch Etive, and I did a nice picture to celebrate it. I wonder where that is now, I’m sure I kept it.
My picture of the Sound of Kerrera is near my front door. Love this area… and Mull, of course 🙂
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Ha ha – I hope he doesn’t read this! Though I’m sure I’ve called him worse than a troll occasionally …
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Beautiful photos Anabel, you wouldn’t think it was December. Oban looks very delightful
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Thanks Alison – the temperature felt like December, but at least it was dry!
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That’s always a plus
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